Bill Simmons Shares 8-Word Reaction to Celtics-Blazers Jrue Holiday Trade
Bill Simmons Shares 8-Word Reaction to Celtics-Blazers Jrue Holiday Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The 2025 NBA season came to a close barely more than 24 hours ago, but we've already switched gears into offseason mode and the wheeling and dealing that comes with that.
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While the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns stole the thunder — pun intended — of Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, it was the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers getting a deal done on Monday night.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Celtics are sending point guard Jrue Holiday to the Blazers for shooting guard Anfernee Simons and a pair of second-round draft picks in return.
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
This trade makes quite a bit of sense for both teams. It gives Portland a veteran guard who can come in and lead a young team, while providing a mentor for former No. 2 overall pick Scoot Henderson.
Meanwhile, Boston gets off a big contract in a year where they are looking to retool a bit in the wake of Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury. They also pick up a young guard in Simons who has a high upside, especially in Joe Mazzulla's system.
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While the trade makes sense, it did elicit an 8-word response for noted Celtics fan Bill Simmons, the owner of The Ringer. A simple thank you.
Holiday had a big part to play in the Celtic's 2024 championship, averaging 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists in that season. More than his counting stats, it was his defensive presence that was the biggest piece of the puzzle for Boston. Holiday was named to the second-team All-Defensive team in 2024, and help lock up the likes of Luka Doncic in the NBA Finals.
We will see what the future has in store for both Holiday and Simons on their new teams, but it's clear that the former Celtic was beloved in Boston, and he will always have fond memories of the championship there in 2024.
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Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Appearance on 'GMA' After NBA Finals Sparks Reaction
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
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